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Internationally Prominent Research at all Levels of Geology and Environmental Earth Science
The Geology, M.A., M.S., Ph.D., programs include a non-thesis, coursework-based M.A., a research thesis-based M.S., and a research-intensive Ph.D. culminating in a dissertation that typically comprises published, and/or submitted journal articles.
Curriculum and Courses
- GLG 647 Geology Graduate Student Onboarding
- GLG 710 Geology Seminar
- Electives selected from 500- to 700-level GLG course offerings
Geology Programs
Geology, M.A.
The Master of Arts degree is a non-thesis program requiring 30 credit hours of coursework, at least 15 hours of which must be in geology and at least 12 of those hours at the 600 level or above.
Students may select up to 15 credit hours of coursework in cognate disciplines, with the approval of their committee.
Students must pass an oral examination prior to receipt of the degree.
Of the courses in geology at least 4 must be taken from different faculty.
Geology, M.S.
The M.S. program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours consisting of 24 hours of course work of which four courses must be taken from different faculty, plus 6 semester hours of credit for thesis.
There is no single prescribed curriculum for all graduate students. Course programs are developed by consultation between students and their graduate-study committees in line with the students’ needs and interest.
All M.S. degree candidates present an oral thesis proposal before the end of the second semester of residence. A final oral defense of thesis research is held after the thesis is completed.
There is no language requirement for the M.S. degree.
Geology, Ph.D.
The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 60 hours beyond the master’s degree of which at least 15 are earned through formal course work.
English is required. Ph.D. students take written examinations in four sub-disciplines of Geology. Upon successful completion of the written examinations, the student undertakes a dissertation prospectus based on the students’ proposed dissertation, arranged by the student in consultation with the graduate study committee as soon as possible after the written and oral exams are passed.
A final oral presentation and defense of dissertation research is held after the student has completed the dissertation.
Combined Geology B.A./M.A. Program
The combined B.A./M.A. Geology program introduces students to diverse and contemporary topics within the broad area of Geology and Environmental Earth Science at an advanced level beyond the Bachelor’s degree. The combined degree program prepares students for careers such as earth science education and environmental consulting or for entry into research-based M.S./Ph.D. programs.
The combined program requires 30 hours of graduate coursework of which 9 hours can be double-counted toward both degrees. Of these 30 hours, a minimum of 15 must be taken from at least 4 sub-disciplines within Geology and Environmental Earth Science, and a minimum of 12 must be at or above the 600 level. A minimum of 150 hours is required for the combined program; 120 semester hours minimum for a bachelor’s degree and 30 hours minimum for a master’s degree. Successful completion of an oral comprehensive examination is required for graduation.
Research Emphases
- Geomicrobiology and life in extreme environments
- Geophysics, seismology, and mantle dynamics
- Hydrogeology and contaminant transport
- Igneous petrology and volcanology
- Isotope Geochemistry
- Low-temperature and environmental geochemistry
- Mineralogy and crystallography
- Mineral surface geochemistry
- Paleobiology and paleoecology
- Paleoclimatology and geomorphology
- Sedimentology and stratigraphy
- Tectonics and structural geology
- Planetary geology
Facts and Stats
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National Public University
Post-Graduation Success Rate
Miami University Data
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Assistantships
All current students are supported by nine-month teaching or research assistantships plus duty-free summer stipends in the amount of $1800 provided you sign up for 9 hours of coursework or research. These awards carry full tuition waivers for the academic year and summer terms, plus a 50% general fees waiver.
Current graduate assistant stipends for the 2025/2026 academic year are $22,807. Applications for graduate study and financial support should be received no later than February 1 for the following academic year.
Admission and Funding
This is Where Your Journey to Miami University Begins
Explore what it means to be a graduate student at Miami University, where students prepare to go anywhere and everywhere. We’ll be here to help every step of the way as you prepare for college admission, enrollment, and success.
Contact Us
Graduate Admission
513-529-GRAD (4723)
[email protected]
Department of Geology and Environmental Science
John F. Rakovan, Professor of Geology and Environmental Earth Science
Shideler Hall 223
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-3245
[email protected]